Places to eat between Alton Towers and the M6

big_white_dog84 · 17 Oct 2009 at 13:53

I'm driving to Alton Towers and back on Thursday with the Mrs. We'll be travelling back about 7pm, and want to get something to eat before reaching the motorway. Rather than driving round deperately trying to find something, before giving in and settling for a McDonalds or service station I want to get a decent restaurant booked in advance. Can anyone recommend somewhere decent at ~£25 a head somehwere between Alton Towers and the M6?

RetiredGreyFox · 17 Oct 2009 at 14:14

You'll be in Stoke, you can feed a family of 10 for £25

RetiredGreyFox · 17 Oct 2009 at 14:31

Here you go, just threw that together -

http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&encType=1&cid=6AFAC9A31684BE!513

big_white_dog84 · 17 Oct 2009 at 15:19

Fantiastic. Thanks very much.

Feek · 17 Oct 2009 at 15:41

Swinnerton Arms looks like the place to go out of those.

RetiredGreyFox · 17 Oct 2009 at 15:53

Feek said:
Swinnerton Arms looks like the place to go out of those.

6 of us went the other week and all of us gave our respective meals 9 or 10 out of 10.
It is the very first place I asked the waitress to tell the chef how much I enjoyed it.

Scania · 17 Oct 2009 at 18:35

Feek said:
Swinnerton Arms looks like the place to go out of those.

I'd second that.

Buffet Island is well worth a trip, the drinks bill can sting though.

big_white_dog84 · 17 Oct 2009 at 18:47

It's between the Swinnerton Arms and Buffet island then. I'm not really after a luxury meal - just something that will prepare me for the 5 hour non stop drive back to Stirling while the Mrs sleeps all the way back. A Chinese buffet sounds like it would do the trick, although I haven't had decent pub food for a long time. I think I'll see how I feel on Wednesday and phone one of them to book.

chrisxuk · 17 Oct 2009 at 18:49

Parents went to the Swinnerton Arms a year or two ago and thought it was disgusting. Ended up complaining. Might of changed now though...

Buffet Island is nice however, been there a few times and not had one bad experience. Just go slowly and you'll get your monies worth

RetiredGreyFox · 17 Oct 2009 at 18:51

chrisxuk said:
Buffet Island is nice however, been there a few times and not had one bad experience. Just go slowly and you'll get your monies worth

Every time I go I keep meaning to take a doggy bag with me.

chrisxuk · 17 Oct 2009 at 18:54

Scania · 18 Oct 2009 at 02:14

dmpoole said:
Every time I go I keep meaning to take a doggy bag with me.

Why bother? your probably already eating Dog.....

Sone · 18 Oct 2009 at 03:01

you recommended the man in space???

Its only called that because it has no atmosphere.

West · 18 Oct 2009 at 03:46

ZOMG Buffet Island. Om nom nom.

Phil W · 18 Oct 2009 at 18:09

Pizza Hut is just off the A500 at Longton.

I've heard Buffet Island is *ok*.

russ9898 · 18 Oct 2009 at 18:32

Swynnerton Arms

Been going there for years and never had a bad meal. The mixed grill is expensive but jesus you get some meat with it, dont think ive ever finished one. lol

RetiredGreyFox · 18 Oct 2009 at 22:03

Updated to include Pizza Hut -

http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&encType=1&cid=6AFAC9A31684BE!513

You'll be able to get some Tesco petrol there too.

Fido McNasty · 18 Oct 2009 at 22:46

Good on ya DM. Top sleuthing.

RetiredGreyFox · 18 Oct 2009 at 23:05

Fido McNasty said:
Good on ya DM. Top sleuthing.

Not really, I've just added my house to the link so you can see how close I live to it (the pin isn't exactly on my house just in case you decide to rob me

).

Just added The Harvester too - http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&encType=1&cid=6AFAC9A31684BE!513

D1ngd0ng · 19 Oct 2009 at 19:16

The Plough on Etruria Road in hanley if you want a steak, also close to A500 which I imagine you want to stay close to if you are driving for 5 hours.